Novel Oxidizers for Solid Propellants

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and its team member, Aerojet, propose to synthesize and evaluate a range of novel furazan based energetic oxidizers with high performance (high energy, high oxygen balance, high density, low sensitivity) and clean combustion (chlorine free). During the Phase I program, PSI developed a two step synthesis for a furazan oxidizer from low cost precursors. The synthetic methodology is very adaptable to a wide range of furazanic precursors to produce similar oxidizers with desirable energetic properties. In the proposed Phase II effort, PSI will scale up the oxidizer synthesis, as well as synthesize and evaluate related structures based upon the methodology developed in the Phase I work. Depending upon the energetic properties of the materials successfully produced and their projected cost, the PSI-Aerojet team will select the furazanic oxidizer that will be scaled up for formulation and motor testing. PSI proposes to produce up to 450 g of the target oxidizer and will demonstrate its use in propellant formulations. The formulation and motor testing will take place at Aerojet Corp. This effort will advance the understanding and use of this promising class of compounds.